Our Leadership Team

Ivy Gamble Cobb is one of the four founding members of The Family Center and has served as its Executive Director since 2006. Under her visionary leadership, the agency’s budget has grown from $3 million to $7 million, reflecting both strategic growth and enhanced community impact.

Ivy has played a key role in ensuring the agency’s long-term sustainability by leading the establishment of an Article 31 child and family mental health clinic and an Article 32 substance use clinic. She also spearheaded The Family Center’s designation as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), enabling the integration of substance use treatment, mental health services, and primary medical care under one roof.

Together with her dedicated team, Ivy has helped The Family Center deliver life-changing support to children and adults, guiding them toward healing and long-term stability.

She holds a Bachelor of Science from New York University and a Master of Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work. She has also completed all coursework toward a Ph.D. in Social Welfare. Ivy has appeared in the videos Remember the Sun and A Gift for My Children: Families Talk About Custody Planning, and she has co-authored several articles on families impacted by parental illness.

Jan Hudis, another of our four founders, serves as The Family Center's Deputy Executive Director of Operations. Prior to founding The Family Center, she worked at the NYC Department of Social Services Division of AIDS Services as a Program Planner. Jan holds both an MPA and an MPH from Columbia University. She has also co-authored numerous articles on the issues faced by families affected by HIV/AIDS.

Joan Salmon, LCSW-R is a seasoned behavioral health executive with over two decades of leadership experience in clinical and administrative roles across outpatient, residential, and community-based settings. Currently serving as the Deputy Executive Director for Behavioral Health and Support Services at The Family Center, Joan oversees a diverse portfolio of state and federally funded programs, including SAMHSA grants and DOH/OCFS contracts. She brings extensive expertise in program development, quality improvement, cross-system integration, and staff supervision. Joan holds a Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Administration from Fordham University and has completed advanced leadership training through the Fordham Center for Nonprofit Leaders. Known for her strategic vision and dedication to client-centered care, she has been instrumental in improving service delivery and expanding access to integrated mental health and substance use services throughout New York City.

Lindsay Cornelio is the Human Resources Director at The Family Center. Previously, Lindsay was the Operations Director at Justice Catalyst Law (JCL), where she oversaw the organization’s human resources, finances, administration and other operations. Prior to JCL, Lindsay worked at the Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, where she served as a Program Assistant, Assistant Site Director and Site Director. Lindsay was also an ESL teacher for several years. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Vermont and an M.S. in Global Affairs from New York University, with a concentration in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

Lauren Elizabeth Groetch, Esq. is the Director of Legal Services for The Legal Wellness Institute at The Family Center. Lauren first joined The Family Center as a post-graduate law fellow in 2014, and she has since served clients in Assistant Director, Staff Attorney, and Senior Staff Attorney roles at The Family Center. She received her BA in English with distinction from the University of Virginia, and her JD from NYU School of Law, where she was named a Hermann Biggs Health Policy Scholar and a Robert McKay Scholar.

Aileen Parker is an experienced nonprofit leader with deep expertise in mission-driven growth. After nearly 18 years as Director of Development & Communications at The Family Center, where she built transformative revenue strategies and deep donor partnerships, Aileen returned in 2026 as Chief Development Officer, leading private revenue development and external communications for our agency.

Before rejoining The Family Center, she advanced development efforts at Disability Rights Advocates, driving meaningful support for disability justice, and earlier expanded private revenue streams and community engagement at Greenwich House and the March of Dimes.

Aileen holds both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master of Social Work in Social Work Administration from Fordham University, equipping her with a strong foundation in human services and nonprofit leadership. Throughout her more than two decades of professional fundraising experience, Aileen is known for her ability to connect organizational need with philanthropic vision—having brought together internal and external stakeholders and spearheaded initiatives and events that raised millions for local and national nonprofits.

Allyah Caby, a Program Coordinator, is a dedicated professional with a profound commitment to her work. Her expertise lies in family services, parent engagement, and community-based program development. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from York College in Queens, NY, providing her with a solid understanding of human behavior and family dynamics. Her experience includes coordinating evidence-based parenting programs like Parenting Journey and Triple P, as well as leading caregiver support and family engagement initiatives. Her mission is to empower parents, strengthen communities, and advance her career in psychology to make a broader impact in supporting families and individuals.

Kai Senkita El, LCSW, is the Clinical Coordinator at The Family Center, where she oversees integrated outpatient mental health services. With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, Kai brings a robust clinical background to her leadership role. She has a proven track record of leading teams and ensuring the delivery of high-quality care to diverse populations, having served as a Clinical Supervisor at Catholic Charities and as a Clinical Case Manager Supervisor at Help USA. Kai holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Long Island University and is committed to empowering both clients and staff, fostering systems that promote healing, stability, and long-term success.

James Learned is The Family Center’s Training Program Manager for our AIDS Institute-funded technical assistance and training program, specializing in professional trainings related to HIV and Older Adults, and Hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV/HCV Co-infection. Since joining The Family Center in 2007, he has held roles as an HIV/HCV Specialist and Counselor, Community Health Outreach Specialist, and Health Care Access Coordinator. With broad experience in health education, curriculum development, training delivery, and program management across New York non-profits, James also practices as a licensed therapist focusing on individuals living with HIV. He earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and an MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College.

Chris Lopez is the Operations Manager, bringing more than a decade of nonprofit administration experience. Chris oversees the day-to-day operations and office management, ensuring smooth functioning that supports the clinic’s mission. With a deep passion for the arts and helping others, Chris is committed to fostering an environment where staff and clients alike can thrive.